It is meant to make you smell fresher. But scientists claim that deodorant may be doing more than just that – it could be making you ill.

More than a quarter of people suffer bad reactions to chemicals found in the sprays, a new study suggests.

Australian researchers quizzed 1,100 people to make the conclusion.

And they found that 26 per cent believe they experience reactions to the chemicals in deodorants, air fresheners and cleaning supplies. Commonly reported side effects from the ‘harmful’ chemicals found in these products included asthma attacks, migraines and skin problems.

Professor Anne Steinemann, lead author of the University of Melbourne research, told NewScientist: “We’re exposed to these chemicals continuously.

“But people may not realise they’re being harmed until it’s too late, and then they have chemical sensitivity.”

Scientists then revealed the number of people diagnosed with a sensitivity to these chemicals has quadrupled in 16 years. A similar survey in 2002 showed just three per cent of participants had been told by their doctor that they have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).

Do deodorants cause cancer? A study published in September 2016 found there may be an increased risk of breast cancer caused by aluminium compounds in antiperspirants.